It is the age-old question that many Star Wars fans have – Padmé Amidala gave birth to the future of the Rebel Alliance. Her son, Luke, blew up the first Death Star and redeemed his father. Meanwhile, her daughter, Leia, was a leading force (no pun intended) for the Rebellion alongside her adoptive father, Bail Organa. In this post, we wanted to explore whether the former Queen of Naboo could’ve been Force-sensitive during her pregnancy.
From various sources regarding Leia’s pregnancy with her son Ben, we know she could feel the Force fighting for control over her child in the womb. Let’s not forget that Leia is Force-sensitive herself. Because of her ties to Anakin, being his daughter, she and her husband Han feared any potential children they had would fall to the dark side. Ultimately, this did happen as Ben became Kylo Ren and started worshipping his grandfather’s melted helmet.
Anyway, going back to Padmé, we’ve done an extensive Google search and came back with some exciting results. We know she wasn’t Force-Sensitive in how Anakin or Luke were. However, in a CBR article by Aaron Grech, discussing the possibility that the senator was Force-sensitive, he mentions something we weren’t aware of.
According to Aaron, in the Art of Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of Sith book claims that Padmé had more midi-cholorians flowing through her body than Anakin did when she was pregnant. Remember that this book is not canon and was released in 2005. A lot of things have changed since then.
Force-Sensitive Children
Now, for the sake of argument, let’s say the Art of Revenge of the Sith still stands up as accurate, and Padmé was very Force-sensitive while pregnant. We must look at the sensible answer: both her children were Force-Sensitive.
We don’t know what Padmé’s Midi-Chlorian count was, but if she was pregnant was Force-Sensitive children, her count would’ve increased due to the twins. Also, we know Luke’s count would’ve been relatively high. Leia’s potential in the Force was nowhere near as high as her brother’s count. We know as she interacted with the Emperor on multiple occasions during her youth, and he never once alluded to her being Force-sensitive. That’s to our knowledge. He might’ve pieced together she had some familial relationship with Padmé. Panaka certainly did, and he was assassinated before he could report his findings.
The Clone Wars
Aaron’s article also brings up something that has to do with the Clone Wars. During The Clone Wars series, Padmé comes close to dying at several points. One such episode is ‘Senate Spy,’ where she is poisoned. For most people, it would’ve killed them. However, with Amidala, it didn’t, and it gave Anakin enough time to find and give her the cure.
The episode, ‘Assassin’, gives another potential look at Padmé’s Force sensitivity. When Ahsoka has visions of Aurra Sing killing the senator, she steps in as part of her security. However, when Tano and the bounty hunter get into a brawl, Padmé stuns her would-be killer. This is believed to be seen as a possible Force connection with Ahsoka.
Our Verdict
To finish off this post, what do we believe? Was Padmé Force-sensitive during her pregnancy? We’re not saying yes or no. Instead, we’re choosing to say, maybe. She could probably sense the Force as her children were strong, but she couldn’t wield it in the traditional sense.
In conclusion, it may explain why Leia’s abilities are more passive than Luke’s. Or, it could’ve been a choice she made never to use the Force for any form of violence.
